User terminal, radio base station and radio communication method

ABSTRACT

The present invention is designed to reduce the decrease of uplink throughput in the event a user terminal connects with a plurality of radio base stations. A user terminal (20) according to an example of the present invention provides a user terminal that connects with a plurality of radio base stations (10) including a first radio base station and a second radio base station, and this user terminal has a transmission section (203) that transmits uplink signals of a plurality of types to each radio base station, and a control section (401) that controls the transmission power of the uplink signals based on the priorities of the uplink signals for each radio base station, and, every time there are uplink signals of the same type, the control section configures the priority for the first radio base station higher than the priority for the second radio base station.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a user terminal, a radio base station,a radio communication method and a radio communication system in anext-generation mobile communication system.

BACKGROUND ART

In the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) network, thespecifications of long term evolution (LTE) have been drafted for thepurpose of further increasing high speed data rates, providing lowerdelay and so on (see non-patent literature 1).

In LTE, as multiple access schemes, a scheme that is based on OFDMA(Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) is used in downlinkchannels (downlink), and a scheme that is based on SC-FDMA (SingleCarrier Frequency Division Multiple Access) is used in uplink channels(uplink).

Successor systems of LTE—referred to as, for example, “LTE-advanced” or“LTE enhancement” —have been under study for the purpose of achievingfurther broadbandization and increased speed beyond LTE, and thespecifications thereof have been drafted as LTE Rel. 10/11 (LTE-A). Thesystem band of LTE Rel. 10/11 includes at least one component carrier(CC), where the LTE system band constitutes one unit. Such bundling of aplurality of CCs into a wide band is referred to as “carrieraggregation” (CA).

In LTE Rel. 12, which is a more advanced successor system of LTE,various scenarios to use a plurality of cells in different frequencybands (carriers) are under study. When a plurality of cells are formedby the same radio base station in effect, the above-described CA isapplicable. On the other hand, when a plurality of cells are formed bycompletely different radio base stations, dual connectivity (DC) may beapplied.

CITATION LIST Non-Patent Literature

Non-Patent Literature 1: 3GPP TS 36.300 “Evolved Universal TerrestrialRadio Access (E-UTRA) and Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio AccessNetwork (E-UTRAN); Overall Description; Stage 2”

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

As noted earlier, when a plurality of cell groups are formed by the sameradio base station in effect (for example, when CA is employed), theradio base station can control uplink transmission power by taking intoaccount the uplink transmission power of user terminals in each cell ina comprehensive manner. However, as in dual connectivity, when aplurality of radio base stations independently control the uplinktransmission power of user terminals, this may result in a decrease ofuplink throughput, a deterioration of communication quality, and so on.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it istherefore an object of the present invention to provide a user terminal,a radio base station, a radio communication method and a radiocommunication system that can reduce the decrease of uplink throughputwhen a user terminal connects with a plurality of radio base stations.

Solution to Problem

The user terminal according to an example of the present inventionprovides a user terminal that communicates by using a first cell group(CG) and a second CG, and this user terminal has a transmission sectionthat transmits uplink signals of a plurality of types in each CG, and acontrol section that allocates power to an uplink signal of a given typeto transmit in the first CG more preferentially than the uplink signalof the given type to transmit in the second CG.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, the decrease of uplink throughputwhen a user terminal connects with a plurality of radio base stationscan be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provide schematic diagrams of carrier aggregation and dualconnectivity;

FIG. 2 provide diagrams to show example cell structures in carrieraggregation and in dual connectivity;

FIG. 3 is a diagram to show an example case of connecting with eachradio base station by way of UL-CA in dual connectivity;

FIG. 4 is a diagram to show the priorities of uplink signals in UL-CA ofLTE Rel. 11;

FIG. 5 provide diagrams to show examples of priorities of uplink signalsin each eNB/CG;

FIG. 6 is a diagram to show examples of priorities of uplink signals indual connectivity according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram to show examples of priorities of uplink signals indual connectivity according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a diagram to show an example case in which a power-limitedstate begins in the middle of a subframe;

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram to explain transmission power controlaccording to a second embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram to show an example flowchart for determining powerdistribution based on differences between the priorities of signalstransmitted at the same time,

FIG. 11 is a diagram to show an example of determining powerdistribution based on differences between the priorities of signalstransmitted at the same time;

FIG. 12 is a diagram to show an example of a schematic structure of aradio communication system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 a diagram to show an example of an overall structure of a radiobase station according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 a diagram to shown an example of a functional structure of aradio base station according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a diagram to show an example of an overall structure of auser terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 16 is a diagram to show an example of a functional structure of auser terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Now, embodiments of the present invention will be described below indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Carrier aggregation and dual connectivity are both techniques to allow auser terminal to connect and communicate with a plurality of cells atthe same time, and are applied to, for example, a HetNet (HeterogeneousNetwork). Here, the “HetNet,” which is under study in LTE-A systems,refers to a structure in which small cells, each having a local coveragearea of a radius of approximately several tens of meters, are formedwithin a macro cell having a wide coverage area of a radius ofapproximately several kilometers. Note that carrier aggregation may bereferred to as “intra-eNB CA,” and dual connectivity may be referred toas “inter-eNB CA.”

FIG. 1 provide schematic diagrams of carrier aggregation and dualconnectivity. In the examples shown in FIG. 1, a user terminal UEcommunicates with radio base stations eNB1 and eNB2.

FIG. 1 show control signals that are transmitted and received via aphysical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and a physical uplink controlchannel (PUCCH). For example, downlink control information (DCI) istransmitted using the PDCCH, and uplink control information (UCI) istransmitted via the PUCCH. Note that an enhanced physical downlinkcontrol channel (EPDCCH: Enhanced PDCCH) may be used instead of thePDCCH.

FIG. 1 A shows communication among radio base stations eNB1 and eNB2 andthe user terminal UE by way of carrier aggregation. In the exampledshown in FIG. 1A, eNB1 is a radio base station to form a macro cell(hereinafter referred to as the “macro base station”), and eNB2 is aradio base station to form a small cell (hereinafter referred to as the“small base station”).

For example, the small base station may be structured like an RRH(Remote Radio Head) that connects with the macro base station. Whencarrier aggregation is employed, one scheduler (for example, thescheduler provided in macro base station eNB1) controls the schedulingof multiple cells.

In a structure in which a scheduler provided in a macro base stationcontrols the scheduling of multiple cells, each base station may beconnected using, for example, an ideal backhaul that provides a highspeed channel such as optical fiber.

FIG. 1B shows communication among radio base stations eNB1 and eNB2 anda user terminal UE by way of dual connectivity. In the example shown inFIG. 1B, eNB1 and eNB2 are both macro base stations.

When dual connectivity is employed, a plurality of schedulers areprovided independently, and these multiple schedulers (for example, thescheduler provided in macro base station eNB1 and the scheduler providedin macro base station eNB2) each control the scheduling of one or morecells they have control over.

In the structure in which the scheduler provided in macro base stationeNB1 and the scheduler provided in macro base station eNB2 each controlthe scheduling of one or more cells they have control over, each basestation may be connected using, for example, a non-ideal backhaul toproduce delays that cannot be ignored, such as the X2 interface.

Consequently, it is generally assumed that, in dual connectivity, closecoordinated control between eNBs equivalent to carrier aggregationcannot be executed. Consequently, downlink L1/L2 control (PDCCH/EPDCCH)and uplink L1/L2 control (UCI feedback by the PUCCH/PUSCH) needs to becarried out independently in each eNB.

FIG. 2 provide diagrams to show example cell structures in carrieraggregation and dual connectivity. In FIG. 2, the UE is connected withfive cells (C1 to C5). C1 is a PCe11 (Primary Cell), and C2 to C5 areSCells (Secondary Cells).

As shown in FIG. 2A, in carrier aggregation, uplink control signals aretransmitted via the PCe11, so that the SCells do not have to have thefunctions of the PCell.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2B, in dual connectivity, each radiobase station is configured in a cell group (CG), which is formed withone cell or a plurality of cells. Each cell group is comprised of one ormore cells formed by the same radio base station, or one or more cellsformed by the same transmission point such as a transmitting antennaapparatus, a transmission station, and so on.

Here, the cell group to include the PCell is referred to as the “mastercell group (MCG),” and the cell groups other than the MCG will bereferred to as “secondary cell groups (SCGs).” In each cell group, twoor more cells can execute carrier aggregation.

Also, the radio base station where the MCG is configured is referred toas the “master base station (MeNB: Master eNB),” and the radio basestations where the SCGs are configured are referred to as “secondarybase stations (SeNBs: Secondary eNBs).”

The total number of cells to constitute the MCG and the SCGs isconfigured to be equal to or less than a predetermined value (forexample, five (cells)). This predetermined value may be set in advance,or may be configured semi-statically or dynamically between the radiobase stations eNB and the user terminal UE. Also, depending on theimplementation of the user terminal UE, the value of the sum of thecells to constitute the MCG and the SCGs and the combination of cellsthat can be configured may be reported to the radio base stations eNB inthe form of user terminal capability information (UE capabilityinformation).

In dual connectivity, as noted earlier, significant backhaul delays maybe produced between eNBs. Consequently, each eNB transmits and receivescontrol information to and from UEs independently, so that, even inSeNBs, a cell (also referred to as a “special cell,” a “PUCCH configuredcell” and so on) that is special and has functions (common search space,the PUCCH, etc.) equivalent to those of the PCell is required. In theexample FIG. 2B, cell C3 is configured as a cell of that kind.

As described above, in dual connectivity, a user terminal has to connectwith each of a plurality of radio base stations in at least one uplinkserving cell. Furthermore, a study is in progress to carry out UL-CA(uplink carrier aggregation) to involve two or more uplink serving cellsfor each radio base station. FIG. 3 is a diagram to show an example caseof connecting with each radio base station by way of UL-CA in dualconnectivity. In FIG. 3, the user terminal connects with the MeNB andthe SeNB via UL-CA.

Here, uplink signal transmission timings are controlled separatelybetween the MeNB and the SeNB. Furthermore, uplink signal transmissionpower control is also carried out separately between the MeNB and theSeNB. Consequently, cases might occur in which, in timings where uplinksignal transmissions for the MeNB and the SeNB overlap, there is ademand to transmit uplink signals beyond the maximum allowable power(Pcmax) of the user terminal. In the following description,“power-limited” will refer to the state in which transmission power islimited because uplink signal transmissions to exceed the maximumallowable power of a user terminal are in demand.

When this takes place, the user terminal has to lower the transmissionpower down to or below the maximum allowable power by reducing thetransmission power, by dropping transmitting signals, and so on, basedon some rules. Here, UL-CA of LTE Rel. 11 provides for configuringpriorities for uplink signals of a plurality of types to transmit to oneradio base station, and allowing a user terminal to adjust transmissionpower based on these priorities so that the total of each CC'stransmission power does not exceed the maximum allowable power.

FIG. 4 is a diagram to show the priorities of uplink signals in UL-CA ofLTE Rel. 11. As shown in FIG. 4, in Rel. 11, the PRACH has the highestpriority, followed by the lower priorities of the PUCCH, PUSCH w/UCI(PUSCH including UCI), the PUSCH w/o UCI (PUSCH not including UCI), andthe SRS, in order. Note that each channel in FIG. 4 represents thesignal to be transmitted via that channel, and will be representedlikewise in the following description.

In UL-CA of LTE Rel. 11, when the transmission periods of signals ofvarying priorities overlap and the power-limited state is produced, thesignals of the lower priorities may be subjected to power scaling, ormay be controlled not to be transmitted (that is, dropped). Furthermore,when signals of the same priority overlap and the power limited state isproduced, control may be executed so that power scaling is applied toboth signals in the same ratio.

However, LTE Rel. 12 provides no stipulation regarding the prioritiesbetween CGs/eNBs in dual connectivity. Consequently, when a userterminal manipulates the transmission power of uplink signals for eachCG/eNB, there is a threat of causing an uplink signal qualitydeterioration that is not intended by the radio base stations, whichthen might result in increased retransmissions, a decrease ofthroughput, and so on.

In order to solve this problem, the present inventors have studiedadequately configuring the priorities of uplink signals in transmissionto the MeNB and the SeNB when dual connectivity is employed. As a resultof this, the present inventors have come up with the idea ofprioritizing transmitting given uplink signal for the MeNB overtransmitting the same given uplink signals for the SeNB. According tothis structure, a user terminal can reduce the impact of the limitationof the maximum allowable power by increasing the priority of importantcontrol signals.

Furthermore, the present inventors have also come up with the idea ofexecuting adequate power control by taking into account theabove-mentioned priorities when the transmission timings of uplinksignals are not synchronized between a plurality of radio base stations.

Now, embodiment of the present invention will be described below indetail. Note that, although, for ease of explanation, examples will bedescribed below in which a user terminal connects with two radio basestations (MeNB and SeNB) in dual connectivity, this is by no meanslimiting. For example, the present invention is applicable to caseswhere a user terminal connects and communicates with three or more radiobase stations that each execute control with an independent scheduler.Furthermore, it is equally possible to employ a structure in which auser terminal connects with cell groups, instead of radio base stations,so that radio base stations or cell groups will be hereinafter alsoreferred to as “eNBs” or “CGs.”

Also, hereinafter, priorities in each eNB/CG will maintain the order ofpriorities (priority rule) shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 provide diagrams toshow examples of the priorities of uplink signals in each eNB/CG. FIG.5A shows examples of priorities in the MeNB/MCG, and FIG. 5B showsexamples of priorities in the SeNB/SCG. These priorities show the sameorder of priorities as in UL-CA of Rel. 11 shown in FIG. 4 (the order ofthe PRACH, the PUCCH, the PUSCH w/UCI, the PUSCH w/o UCI and the SRS).By employing such structures, it is possible to carry out processes inuser terminals in a uniform way with Rel. 11, and reduce the cost ofimplementation. Note that the priorities in each eNB/CG are not limitedto the order of priorities of FIG. 5, and other orders of priorities maybe used as well.

First Embodiment

With a first embodiment of the present invention, every uplink signalfor the MCG/MeNB is assigned a higher priority than an uplink signal ofthe same type for the SCG/SeNB.

According to an example of the first embodiment, the priority rule isconfigured so that all uplink signals for the MeNB/MCG are prioritizedover all uplink signals for the SeNB/SCG. FIG. 6 is a diagram to show anexample of the priorities of uplink signals in dual connectivityaccording to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, in this priorityrule, the UL-CA priorities in the MeNB/MCG (FIG. 5A) are configuredhigher than the UL-CA priorities in the SeNB/SCG (FIG. 5B).

By following this priority rule, it is possible to prevent deteriorationin the MCG/MeNB due to the power-limited state, and apply dualconnectivity without sacrificing the macro cell coverage.

Note that, in the above example, the SRS and/or the PUSCH w/o UCI may bemade an exception, and their priorities may be lowered significantly inboth the MeNB/SeNB, regardless of the priority rule. For example, inFIG. 6, the priorities of the PUSCH w/o UCI and the SRS for the MeNB maybe made lower than that of the PUSCH w/UCI for the SeNB. By this means,it is possible to further reduce the negative influence that is producedwhen MeNB channels of lower priorities consume power and signals thatrelate to the connectivity and delays of the SeNB in a significant waysuch as the PRACH and the PUCCH for the SeNB cannot secure power.

Furthermore, in the above example, the PRACH and the PUCCH may be madean exception, and their priorities may be increased significantly inboth the MeNB/SeNB, regardless of the above priority rule. For example,in FIG. 6, the priorities of the PRACH and the PUCCH for the SeNB may bemade higher than that of the PUSCH w/UCI for the MeNB. By this means, itis possible to further reduce the negative influence that is producedwhen MeNB channels of lower priorities consume power and signals thatrelate to the connectivity and delays of the SeNB in a significant waysuch as the PRACH and the PUCCH for the SeNB cannot secure power.

According to another example of the first embodiment, every time thereare uplink signals of the same type, the MeNB/MCG has a higher prioritythan the SeNB/SCG, and their priorities are configured to neighbor eachother. To “neighbor each other” here means, in other words, notconfiguring the priorities of signals of other types between thepriorities of signals of the same type.

FIG. 7 is a diagram to show examples of the priorities of uplink signalsin dual connectivity according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 7, thepriority rule is configured so that the priorities in each eNB/CG arethe same as in UL-CA of Rel. 11. According to this priority rule, thepriority of each signal is configured higher in the MeNB/MCG than in theSeNB/SCG. That is, according to the present embodiment, the prioritiesof uplink signals of the same type are taken together, and the priorityrule is configured to be the same as in each eNB/CG.

By following this priority rule, it is possible to preferentiallyallocate power to signals of higher priorities regardless of the eNB/CG.In particular, the priority of the PUSCH, the bandwidth of which easilywidens and which is therefore likely to be a cause of the power-limitedstate, can be made relatively low, so that it is possible to reduce theimpact on important control signals such as the PRACH, the PUCCH and soon.

Note that a structure may be possible in which a given signal has thesame priority between the MeNB/MCG and the SeNB/SCG. That is, astructure may be employed, in which, every time there are signals of thesame type, the priority for the MeNB/MCG is configured to be equal tothe priority for the SeNB/SCG. In this case, when the power-limitedstate is assumed, signals of the same priority may be subjected toscaling in equal power or in an equal ratio, or may be dropped at thesame time.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, even in dualconnectivity, transmission power for signals of high priorities can besecured, so that it is possible to reduce the decrease of uplinkthroughput.

Note that, when a user terminal holds a plurality of priority rules, thepriority rule to apply may be determined based on information related topriority rules, which is reported in downlink control information (DCI)from radio base stations, higher layer signaling (for example, RRCsignaling), broadcast signals (for example, SIBs) and so on. Forexample, a structure may be employed in which the priority rules of FIG.6 and FIG. 7 are applied on a switched basis, based on the informationreported.

Second Embodiment

When uplink signal transmission timings are not synchronized between aplurality of eNBs/CGs connected in dual connectivity (hereinafter alsoreferred to as “asynchronous dual connectivity”), it may be difficult tofollow the uplink signal priority rules described with the firstembodiment.

This problem will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8. FIG.8 is a diagram to show an example case where the power limited statebegins in the middle of a subframe. In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis istime, and the vertical direction is the power that is allocated totransmission signals. Furthermore, the maximum allowable power of a userterminal is Pcmax, and fixed in the period illustrated.

Referring to the example of FIG. 8, first, a user terminal starts thetransmission process for the PUSCH w/o UCI in the SeNB/SCG. At thistime, no uplink signal is transmitted in the MeNB/MCG, so that the userterminal can transmit the signal with the transmission power demanded bythe SeNB.

Next, while the PUSCH w/o UCI is transmitted in the SeNB/SCG, the PUSCHw/UCI starts being transmitted in the MeNB/MCG. In this case, there is arisk of entering the power limited state. According to the priority ruleof FIG. 6 or FIG. 7, the PUSCH w/UCI in the MeNB/MCG has a higherpriority than the PUSCH w/o UCI in the SeNB/SCG, so that it is necessaryto lower the transmission power of the latter in the middle of thesubframe and control the total transmission power not to exceed Pcmax.

After the transmission of the PUSCH w/o UCI is complete in the SeNB/SCG,the PUCCH starts being transmitted. In this case, there is a risk ofentering the power limited state. For example, according to the priorityrule of FIG. 7, the PUCCH in the SeNB/SCG has a higher priority than thePUSCH w/UCI in the MeNB/MCG, so that it is necessary to lower thetransmission power of the latter in the middle of the subframe andcontrol the total transmission power not to exceed Pcmax.

However, it is generally settled that the operation to change the powerof a signal that is being transmitted in the middle of a subframe is notpreferable. If such operation is allowed, for example, problems mightoccur where gaps that are produced between channel estimation referencesignals and data signals make demodulation based on channel estimationdifficult, where the amplitude of an orthogonal code changes in themiddle of the code sequence, and, when other UEs are multiplexed, theorthogonality weakens, and demultiplexing becomes difficult.

Consequently, when the priority rule shown in FIG. 6 is employed, whenan MeNB/MCG transmission takes place in the middle of a subframe, it isnot preferable to change the power of the signal that is beingtransmitted in the SeNB/SCG. Furthermore, when the priority rule shownin FIG. 7 is employed, when a transmission of a signal of a higherpriority occur in the middle of a subframe, it is not preferable tochange the power of the signal that is being transmitted. In this way,in asynchronous dual connectivity, it is not always possible to followthe priorities in power distribution, and cases might occur in which howto determine transmission power is not clear.

So, with a second embodiment of the present invention, in asynchronousdual connectivity, control is executed so that the transmission power ofa signal is not changed in the middle of an uplink subframe (ULsubframe), and the priorities described with the first embodiment arefollowed. To be more specific, in dual connectivity according to thepresent embodiment, power limited detection is carried out, and powerscaling/dropping is applied when the power limited state is detected, bytaking future uplink transmission signals into account, regardless ofwhether eNBs/CGs are synchronized or not synchronized.

First, before the transmission power of a given UL subframe isdetermined with respect to a given eNB/CG, the transmission power of allUL subframes of other eNBs/CGs having entirely or partly simultaneoustransmission intervals with that UL subframe is investigated. In thiscase, the UL grants/DL assignments to command the transmission of thisUL subframe and preceding or following overlapping UL subframes aredetected and demodulated, and the UL transmission conditions (thebandwidth, the modulation scheme, the UL transmission power that isrequired based on these) are investigated.

Next, based on the result of the above investigation of UL transmissionconditions, whether or not there is a part to be power-limited in thetransmission timing of the UL subframes is calculated. Here, if there isa part to be power-limited, the priorities of signals in this part arecompared. For example, the priorities of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 can be used.

As a result of comparing priorities, the power allocated to the ULsubframe of the lower priority (non-priority) is reduced (scaled ordropped) down to a value where the required power can be adequatelydistributed to the UL subframe of the higher priority (priority).

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram to explain the transmission power controlof the second embodiment. In FIG. 9, one UL subframe that transmitssignals in the MeNB has a partially simultaneous transmission intervalwith two UL subframes that transmit signals in the SeNB.

Before determining the transmission power of the MeNB UL subframe, auser terminal investigates the UL transmission power in the two SeNB ULsubframes that overlap with the UL subframe, and recognizes that thereis a part to be power limited, based on the information of UL grants/DLassignments that have been received. Then, the priorities of the signalsin that part are compared and the transmission power of the UL subframesto transmit the signals of the lower priorities is adjusted so thatsufficient power is allocated to the signal to be prioritized.

Now, an example case of applying the transmission power control of thesecond embodiment will be described with reference to the example ofFIG. 8. Here, the priority rule shown in FIG. 7 is applied. First,before transmitting the PUSCH w/o UCI of the SeNB/SCG, a user terminalinvestigates the UL transmission conditions of the PUSCH w/UCI of theMeNB/MCG in subframes that overlap with that subframe. According to FIG.7, the PUSCH w/o UCI of the SeNB/SCG has a lower priority than the othersignals, and therefore is transmitted with reduced transmission power.

Next, before transmitting the PUSCH w/UCI of the MeNB/MCG, the userterminal investigates the UL transmission conditions of the PUSCH w/oUCI and the PUCCH of the SeNB/SCG in the overlapping subframes.According to FIG. 7, the PUSCH w/UCI of the MeNB/MCG has a higherpriority than the PUSCH w/o UCI of the SeNB/SCG, but has a lowerpriority than the PUCCH of the SeNB/SCG, and therefore is transmittedwith reduced transmission power.

Next, before transmitting the PUCCH of the SeNB/SCG, the user terminalinvestigates the UL transmission conditions of the PUSCH w/UCI of theMeNB/MCG in the overlapping subframes. According to FIG. 7, the PUCCH ofthe SeNB/SCG has a higher priority than the PUSCH w/UCI of the MeNB/MCG,and therefore is transmitted with the transmission power required by theSeNB.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, transmissionpower control is executed by taking into account not onlycurrently-transmitting uplink signals, but also uplink signals that areplanned to be transmitted in the future, so that, even in dualconnectivity, it is possible to secure transmission power for signals ofhigh priorities, without changing transmission power in the middle ofsubframes, and reduce the decrease of uplink/downlink throughput.

(Variation 1)

Note that, although, with the above example of the second embodiment,the transmission power of a given UL subframe for a given eNB/CG isdetermined by taking into account the transmission power of all ULsubframes of other eNB/CGs having entirely or partially-simultaneoustransmission intervals with that UL subframe, additional UL subframesmay be taken into consideration as well. To be more specific, thetransmission power of UL subframes not having simultaneous transmissionintervals with that UL subframe may be taken into consideration. Forexample, UL subframes that follow that UL subframe may be taken intoaccount. Furthermore, it is also possible to take into account ULsubframes that follow UL subframes of other eNBs/CGs having entirely orpartially simultaneous transmission periods with that UL subframe. Forexample, referring to the example of FIG. 8, when determining thetransmission power of the PUSCH w/o UCI in the SeNB/SCG, it may bepossible to take the UL transmission conditions of the PUCCH of theSeNB/SCG into account, in addition to the PUSCH w/UCI of the MeNB/MCG.By this means, it is possible to execute power control adequately bytaking into account the priorities and power limited state of futuresignals.

(Variation 2)

Furthermore, in asynchronous dual connectivity, in order to fix thetransmission power in a subframe and secure the transmission prioritiesof uplink signals, as shown with the second embodiment, a user terminalneeds to read the UL grants/DL assignments for future transmissionsignals and calculate the transmission power, and, furthermore, knowwhether or not the power limited state will occur, and, if the powerlimited state will occur, how much extra power will be required. Processlike this requires additional operations in the user terminal, whichmeans that the load of terminal implementation is likely to growheavier.

So, in systems in which dual connectivity is used, user terminalcapability information (UE capability information) may be stipulated asfollows. For example, user terminal capability information to representwhether or not asynchronous dual connectivity can be supported may bestipulated. Furthermore, user terminal capability information torepresent whether or not the transmission power of future transmissionsignals can be calculated in advance may be stipulated. Also, userterminal capability information to represent whether or not transmissionpower can be shared between eNBs/CGs on a dynamic basis may bestipulated as well. These pieces of information are reported from userterminals to radio base stations before dual connectivity is configured.Based on these pieces of user terminal capability information, the radiobase stations carry out communication so that the user terminals canexecute adequate transmission power control.

Here, if a user terminal has any of these capabilities, the radio basestations may judge that the transmission power control of the secondembodiment can be applied. Furthermore, if it is determined that thetransmission power control according to the second embodiment cannot beapplied to the user terminal, it is preferable to distribute powersemi-statically in advance, on a per eNB/CG basis, so that arrangementsmay be made accordingly.

(Variation 3)

The above-described embodiments of the present invention may bestructured to determine the distribution of power based on differencesbetween the priorities of signals that are transmitted at the same time.For example, referring to FIG. 7, assuming that priorities areconfigured with increments of 1 so that the priority of the PRACH of theMeNB/MCG is 1 and the priority of the SRS of the SeNB/SCG is 10, thedifferences between the priorities of transmitting signals (subframes)can be calculated within a range of −9 to +9.

FIG. 10 is a diagram to show an example of a flowchart for determiningthe distribution of power based on differences between the priorities ofsignals that are transmitted at the same time. Note that, in the processof applying power scaling, power dropping may be applied instead.

First, before transmitting uplink signals of a given eNB/CG in a givensubframe, the user terminal calculates the priority differences Δ₁ andΔ₂ between subframes (step S10). Here, Δ₁ is determined by subtractingthe priority of subframe i−1 from the priority of subframe i, and Δ₂ isdetermined by subtracting the priority of subframe i from the priorityof subframe i+1. Note that subframe i is the above given subframe,subframe i−1 is a subframe of another eNB/CG that overlaps subframe iand that is transmitted before subframe i, and subframe i+1 is asubframe of another eNB/CG that overlaps subframe i and that istransmitted after subframe i.

Next, whether or not the absolute value of Δ_(l) (|Δ₁|) is greater thanthe absolute value of Δ₂ (|Δ₂|) is determined (step S20). If |Δ₁| isgreater than |Δ₂| (step S20: YES), power scaling is applied to subframei (step S21).

On the other hand, when |Δ₁| is not greater than |Δ₂| (step S20: NO),then, whether or not |Δ₁| and |Δ₂| are equal is additionally determined(step S22). When |Δ₁| and |Δ₂| are equal (step S22: YES), power scalingis applied to the SeNB subframe (step S23). Also, when |Δ₁| and |Δ₂| arenot equal (step S22: NO), power scaling is applied to subframe i+1 andsubframe i−1 (step S24).

FIG. 11 is a diagram to show an example of determining powerdistribution based on differences between the priorities of signals tobe transmitted at the same time. In FIG. 11, the upper part shows thestate before power is distributed, and the lower part shows the stateafter power is distributed, according to the present embodiment. In FIG.11, the priorities of subframes i−1, i and i+1 are 1, 2 and 7,respectively. Consequently, Δ₁=1 and Δ₂=5 hold.

Before the power distribution in FIG. 11, the transmission interval ofsubframe i is power-limited. Following the flowchart of FIG. 10, theprocess of step S24 is executed, and power scaling is applied tosubframes i−1 and i+1. As a result of this, as shown in the lower partof FIG. 11, the power of the MeNB/MCG is maintained.

When |Δ₁| is greater than |Δ₂|, this is equivalent to the case where thepriority of subframe i−1 is relatively high compared to subframe i andsubframe i+1. In such cases, by applying power scaling to subframe i, itis possible to secure transmission power for subframe i−1, which has arelatively high priority, and maintain quality. Also, when |Δ₁| and |Δ₂|are equal, it is possible to control not to change the transmissionpower of MeNB subframes, which are important in securing connectivitybetween user terminals and the network, by applying power scaling to theSeNB subframes. Furthermore, the case where |Δ₁| is smaller than |Δ₂|means the priorities of subframe i−1 and subframe i are substantiallyequal, relatively, and the priority of subframe i+1 is low. Under thesecircumstances, it is possible to provide opportunities to secure powerfor subframe i by applying power scaling to subframe i−1 and subframei+1.

Note that, although FIG. 10 shows an example of the method ofdetermining power distribution, this is by no means limiting. Forexample, when Δ₁<0 and Δ₂<0 (for example, when the priorities ofsubframes i−1, i, i+1 are 7, 2 and 1, respectively), the flowchart, inwhich the steps S21 and S24 in FIG. 10 are switched, may be used. Also,when Δ₁Δ₂<0 holds (for example, when the priorities of subframes i−1, iand i+1 are 5, 7 and 4, respectively), it is possible to use theflowchart, which replaces step S20 of FIG. 10 with determining whetheror not Δ_(l) is greater than Δ₂.

(Variation 4)

Also, with the embodiments described above, power scaling/dropping isexecuted as appropriate. To be more specific, it is possible to selectbetween the following two patterns of implementation methods. The firstmethod of implementation is the method of applying powerscaling/dropping in one step. In this case, a user terminal determines,when transmitting a given UL subframe, whether or not the sum of thetransmission power of all CCs of both CGs exceeds Pcmax. When excess isidentified as a result of this, power scaling/dropping is appliedaccording to the priority rule of the second embodiment. According tothis structure, differences between CGs are not taken intoconsideration, and, power scaling/dropping that is optimal on an overallscale can be applied following the priorities of all.

Also, executing power scaling/dropping in two steps is the other methodof implementation. A user terminal, when transmitting a given ULsubframe, first determines whether or not the sum of the transmissionpower per eNB/CG exceeds a predetermined value (for example, the maximumtransmission power per CG). As a result of this, when the sum of thetransmission power exceeds a predetermined value in any of the eNBs/CGs,power scaling/dropping is applied in that CG, and the transmission poweris kept within the predetermined value per eNB/CG. Note that, this UEoperation and the priority rule are the same as those in UL-CA of Rel.11. After that, whether or not the sum of the transmission power of eacheNB/CG exceeds Pcmax is determined, and, if excess is identified, powerscaling/dropping is applied following the priority rule betweeneNBs/CGs, as described earlier with the second embodiment. According tothis structure, in the first step (decision per eNB/CG), a certain levelof power scaling can be executed by existing processes. Since theprocess of comparing priorities between CGs can be spared, it ispossible to simplify the terminal processes, reduce the cost of thecircuit structure, and so on.

(Variation 5)

Also, according to the embodiments described above, powerscaling/dropping is applied to the transmission power of each channel(signal) in each CC, depending on the decisions as to whether or not thepower limited state is present. Power scaling/dropping is produced as aresult of the power limited state, and therefore there is a possibilitythat “the difference between the maximum transmission power of e UE andthe transmission power demanded by an eNB,” which originally is supposedto be reported in a PHR (Power Headroom Report), cannot be reported.

So, in dual connectivity, PHRs are calculated, on a per eNB/CG basis,using the values before power scaling/dropping is applied as a result ofthe power limited state. That is, the difference between thetransmission power value initially required by each eNB and the maximumtransmission power of each eNB/CG is calculated as a PH, and a PHR isreported. Note that, when the maximum transmission power of each eNB/CGis not configured, PHs may be calculated using each CC's maximumtransmission power or the maximum transmission power per user terminal.According to this structure, it is possible to adequately report howmuch extra power is present with respect to the transmission powerdemanded by the eNBs.

(Structure of Radio Communication System)

Now, a structure of a radio communication system according to anembodiment of the present invention will be described below. In thisradio communication system, the radio communication methods according tothe above embodiments or variations are employed.

FIG. 12 is a schematic structure diagram to show an example of the radiocommunication system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 12, a radio communication system 1 iscomprised of a plurality of radio base stations 10 (11 and 12), and aplurality of user terminals 20 that are present within cells formed byeach radio base station 10, and that are configured to be capable ofcommunicating with each radio base station 10. The radio base stations10 are each connected with a higher station apparatus 30, and areconnected to a core network 40 via the higher station apparatus 30.

In FIG. 12, the radio base station 11 is, for example, a macro basestation having a relatively wide coverage, and forms a macro cell C1.The radio base stations 12 are, for example, small base stations havinglocal coverages, and form small cells C2. Note that the number of radiobase stations 11 and 12 is not limited to that illustrated in FIG. 10.

The macro cell C1 and the small cells C2 may use the same frequency bandor may use different frequency bands. Also, the radio base stations 11and 12 are connected with each other via an inter-base station interface(for example, optical fiber, the X2 interface, etc.).

Note that the macro base station 11 may be referred to as an “eNodeB”(eNB), a “radio base station,” a “transmission point,” and so on. Thesmall base stations 12 are radio base stations having local coverages,and may be referred to as “RRHs” (Remote Radio Heads), “pico basestations,” “femto base stations,” “HeNBs” (Home eNodeBs), “transmissionpoints,” “eNodeBs” (eNBs) and so on.

The user terminals 20 are terminals to support various communicationschemes such as LTE, LTE-A and so on, and may include both mobilecommunication terminals and stationary communication terminals. The userterminals 20 can communicate with other user terminals 20 via the radiobase stations 10.

The higher station apparatus 30 may be, for example, an access gatewayapparatus, a radio network controller (RNC), a mobility managemententity (MME) and so on, but is by no means limited to these.

In the radio communication system 1, as radio access schemes, OFDMA(Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) is applied to thedownlink, and SC-FDMA (Single-Carrier Frequency Division MultipleAccess) is applied to the uplink. Note that the uplink and downlinkradio access schemes are not limited to combinations of these.

Also, in the radio communication system 1, a downlink shared channel(PDSCH: Physical Downlink Shared Channel), which is used by each userterminal 20 on a shared basis, downlink control channels (PDCCH(Physical Downlink Control Channel), EPDCCH (Enhanced Physical DownlinkControl Channel), etc.), a broadcast channel (PBCH) and so on are usedas downlink channels. User data, higher layer control information andpredetermined SIBs (System Information Blocks) are communicated in thePDSCH. Downlink control information (DCI) is communicated by the PDCCHand the EPDCCH. Also, synchronization signals, MIBs (Master InformationBlocks) and so on are communicated by the PBCH.

Also, in the radio communication system 1, an uplink shared channel(PUSCH: Physical Uplink Shared Channel), which is used by each userterminal 20 on a shared basis, and an uplink control channel (PUCCH:Physical Uplink Control Channel) are used as uplink channels. User dataand higher layer control information are communicated by the PUSCH.

FIG. 13 is a diagram to show an overall structure of a radio basestation 10 according to the present embodiment. The radio base station10 has a plurality of transmitting/receiving antennas 101 for MIMOcommunication, amplifying sections 102, transmitting/receiving sections(receiving sections) 103, a baseband signal processing section 104, acall processing section 105 and a communication path interface 106. Notethat, the transmitting/receiving sections 103 are comprised oftransmitting sections and receiving sections.

User data to be transmitted from the radio base station 10 to a userterminal 20 on the downlink is input from the higher station apparatus30 to the baseband signal processing section 104, via the communicationpath interface 106.

In the baseband signal processing section 104, the user data issubjected to a PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) layer process,user data division and coupling, RLC (Radio Link Control) layertransmission processes such as an RLC retransmission controltransmission process, MAC (Medium Access Control) retransmission control(for example, an HARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest) transmissionprocess), scheduling, transport format selection, channel coding, aninverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) process and a precoding process,and the result is forwarded to each transmitting/receiving section 103.Furthermore, downlink control signals are also subjected to transmissionprocesses such as channel coding and an inverse fast Fourier transform,and forwarded to each transmitting/receiving section 103.

Each transmitting/receiving section 103 converts the downlink signals,pre-coded and output from the baseband signal processing section 104 ona per antenna basis, into a radio frequency band. The amplifyingsections 102 amplify the radio frequency signals having been subjectedto frequency conversion in the transmitting/receiving sections 103, andtransmitted from the transmitting/receiving antennas 101.

On the other hand, as for uplink signals, radio frequency signals thatare received in the transmitting/receiving antennas 101 are eachamplified in the amplifying sections 102. Each transmitting/receivingsection 103 receives the uplink signals amplified in the amplifyingsections 102. The transmitting/receiving sections 103 convert thereceived signals into baseband signals through frequency conversion, andoutput the resulting signals to the baseband signal processing section104.

In the baseband signal processing section 104, user data that isincluded in the uplink signals that are input is subjected to a fastFourier transform (FFT) process, an inverse discrete Fourier transform(IDFT) process, error correction decoding, a MAC retransmission controlreceiving process, and RLC layer and PDCP layer receiving processes, andforwarded to the higher station apparatus 30 via the communication pathinterface 106. The call processing section 105 performs call processingsuch as setting up and releasing communication channels, manages thestate of the radio base station 10 and manages the radio resources.

The interface section 106 transmits and receives signals to and from thehigher station apparatus 30 via a predetermined interface. Furthermore,the interface section 106 transmits and receives signals to and fromneighboring radio base stations (backhaul signaling) via an inter-basestation interface (for example, optical fiber, the X2 interface, etc.).

FIG. 14 is a diagram to show a principle functional structure of thebaseband signal processing section 104 provided in the radio basestation 10 according to the present embodiment. A shown in FIG. 14, thebaseband signal processing section 104 provided in the radio basestation 10 is comprised at least of a control section 301, atransmission signal generating section 302, a mapping section 303, ademapping section 304 and a received signal decoding section 305.

The control section 301 controls radio resource scheduling for downlinksignals and uplink signals based on command information from the higherstation apparatus 30, feedback information from each user terminal 20and so on. That is, the control section 301 functions as a scheduler.Note that, when another radio base station 10 and/or the higher stationapparatus 30 functions as the scheduler of the radio base station 10,the control section 301 does not have to function as a scheduler.

To be more specific, the control section 301 controls the scheduling ofdownlink reference signals, downlink data signals that are transmittedin the PDSCH, downlink control signals that are transmitted in the PDCCHand/or the EPDCCH, and so on. Also, the control section 301 alsocontrols the scheduling of uplink data signals that are transmitted inthe PUSCH, uplink control signals that are transmitted in the PUCCH orthe PUSCH, RA preambles that are transmitted in the PRACH, and so on.These pieces of allocation control-related information are reported tothe user terminals 20 by using downlink control signals (DCI).

The control section 301 controls the transmission signal generatingsection 302 and the mapping section 303 so as to adjust the uplinksignal transmission power of user terminals 20 connected with the radiobase station 10.

To be more specific, the control section 301 commands the transmissionsignal generating section 302 to generate transmission power control(TPC) commands for controlling the transmission power of uplink signalsbased on PHRs and channel state information (CSI) reported from the userterminals 20, the uplink data error rate, the number of times of HARQretransmissions and so on, and controls the mapping section 303 toinclude the TPC commands in downlink control information (DCI) andreport this to the user terminals 20. By this means, the radio basestation 10 can specify the uplink signal transmission power to requestto the user terminals 20. Note that the PHRs may be included andreported in MAC CE as well.

The control section 301 acquires information about the uplinktransmission power for each radio base station 10 the user terminals 20are connected with, based on the PHRs reported from the user terminals20. To be more specific, the control section 301 acquires informationabout the transmission power of the cell where the subject radio basestation belongs, based on real PHRs reported from the user terminals 20.Note that, as information about the transmission power of cells wherethe subject radio base station does not belong, the control section 301may estimate the PUSCH bandwidth, channel states (path loss and so on),transmission power density (PSD), MCS level, channel quality and so onof cells formed by other radio base stations 10. Also, the controlsection 301 may estimate (calculate) the total extra transmission powerof the user terminals 20 from these pieces of information.

The DL signal generating section 302 generates the downlink controlsignals, downlink data signals and downlink reference signals that aredetermined to be allocated in the control section 301, and outputs thesesignals to the mapping section 303. To be more specific, the downlinkcontrol signal generating section 302 generates DL assignments, whichreport downlink signal allocation information, and UL grants, whichreport uplink signal allocation information, based on commands from thecontrol section 301. The data signals that are generated in the datasignal generating section 303 are subjected to a coding process and amodulation process, based on coding rates and modulation schemes thatare determined based on CSI from each user terminal 20 and so on.

The mapping section 303 maps the downlink signals generated in thetransmission signal generating section 302 to radio resources based oncommands from the control section 301, and outputs these to thetransmitting/receiving sections 103.

The demapping section 304 demaps the signals received in thetransmitting/receiving sections 103 and outputs the separated signals tothe received signal decoding section 305. To be more specific, thedemapping section 304 demaps the uplink signals transmitted from theuser terminals 20.

The received signal decoding section 305 decodes the signals (forexample, delivery acknowledgement signals (HARQ-ACK)) transmitted fromthe user terminals 20 in uplink control channels (the PRACH, the PUCCH,etc.), the data signals transmitted in the PUSCH, and so on, and outputsthe results to the control section 301. Also, information included inthe MAC CE reported from the user terminals 20 is also output to thecontrol section 301.

FIG. 15 is a diagram to show an overall structure of a user terminal 20according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the userterminal 20 has a plurality of transmitting/receiving antennas 201 forMIMO communication, amplifying sections 202, transmitting/receivingsections 203, a baseband signal processing section 204 and anapplication section 205. Note that, transmitting/receiving sections 203may be comprised of transmitting sections and receiving sections.

As for downlink data, radio frequency signals that are received in aplurality of transmitting/receiving antennas 201 are each amplified inthe amplifying sections 202. Each transmitting/receiving section 203receives the downlink signals amplified in the amplifying sections 202.The transmitting/receiving sections 203 convert the received signalsinto baseband signals through frequency conversion, and output theresulting signals to the baseband signal processing section 204.

In the baseband signal processing section 204, the baseband signals thatare input are subjected to an FFT process, error correction decoding, aretransmission control receiving process, and so on. Downlink user datais forwarded to the application section 205. The application section 205performs processes related to higher layers above the physical layer andthe MAC layer. Furthermore, in the downlink data, broadcast informationis also forwarded to the application section 205.

Meanwhile, uplink user data is input from the application section 205 tothe baseband signal processing section 204. The baseband signalprocessing section 204 performs a retransmission control transmissionprocess (for example, an HARQ transmission process), channel coding,pre-coding, a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) process, an IFFT processand so on, and the result is forwarded to each transmitting/receivingsection 203. The baseband signal that is output from the baseband signalprocessing section 204 is converted into a radio frequency band in thetransmitting/receiving sections 203. The amplifying sections 202 amplifythe radio frequency signals having been subjected to frequencyconversion, and transmit the resulting signals from thetransmitting/receiving antennas 201.

FIG. 16 is a diagram to show a principle functional structure of thebaseband signal processing section 204 provided in the user terminal 20.As shown in FIG. 16, the baseband signal processing section 204 providedin the user terminal 20 is comprised at least of a control section 401,a transmission signal generating section 402, a mapping section 403, ademapping section 404, a received signal decoding section 405, a powerlimit detection section 406 and a PH report generating section 411.

The control section 401 acquires the downlink control signals (signalstransmitted in the PDCCH) and downlink data signals (signals transmittedin the PDSCH) transmitted from the radio base stations 10, from thereceived signal decoding section 405. Based on the downlink controlsignals, results of deciding whether or not retransmission control ispossible in response to the downlink data signals, and so on, thecontrol section 401 controls the generation of uplink control signals(for example, delivery acknowledgement signals (HARQ-ACK), etc.), uplinkdata signals and so on. To be more specific, the control section 401controls the transmission signal generating section 402 and the mappingsection 403.

The transmission signal generating section 402 generates uplink controlsignals such as, for example, delivery acknowledgement signals(HARQ-ACK) and channel state information (CSI), based on commands fromthe control section 401. Also, the transmission signal generatingsection 402 generates uplink data signals based on commands from thecontrol section 401. Note that, when a UL grant is included in adownlink control signal reported from the radio base stations, thecontrol section 401 commands the transmission signal generating section402 to generate an uplink data signal.

The mapping section 403 maps the uplink signals generated in thetransmission signal generating section 402 to radio resources based oncommands from the control section 401, and output the result to thetransmitting/receiving section 203.

Also, the control section 401 controls the uplink transmission power ofthe user terminals 20. To be more specific, the control section 401controls the transmission power of each cell (CC) based on signaling(for example, TPC commands) from each radio base station 20. Here, thecontrol section 401 has the priority rule for uplink signals for eachradio base station 10, and, when a plurality of uplink signals aretransmitted in the same timing, the transmission power of each uplinksignal is controlled with reference to these priorities.

As a priority rule, every time there are uplink signals of the sametype, the control section 401 configures the priority of a first radiobase station (for example, an MeNB) higher than the priority of a secondradio base station (for example, an SeNB). For example, the prioritiesof all UL signals for the MeNB may be configured higher than thepriorities of all UL signals for the SeNB (an example of the firstembodiment). Also, every time there are uplink signals of the same type,the priority for the first radio base station and the priority for thesecond radio base station may be configured to neighbor each other.Furthermore, the relationship between signals in priority may beconfigured so that the same order as in UL-CA of Rel. 11 is maintainedregardless of the eNBs (another example of the first embodiment). Notethat the priorities of signals between the eNBs/CGs preferably representthe same order as that in UL-CA of Rel. 11. That is, from the highestone, the PRACH, the PUCCH, the PUSCH including UCI, the PUSCH notincluding UCI and the SRS are preferably included in the order ofpriorities.

Note that, when a plurality of priority rules are stipulated, thecontrol section 401 may determine the priority rule to apply based oninformation related to priority rules, which is reported in downlinkcontrol information (DCI) in downlink control channels (PDCCH andEPDCCH) from the radio base stations 10, higher layer signaling (forexample, RRC signaling), broadcast signals (for example, SIBs) and soon.

Also, the control section 401 executes transmission power control incooperation with the power limit detection section 406 so that thecontrol section 401 ensures that the transmission power of signals isnot changed in the middle of uplink subframes (UL subframes), and theabove rules are followed. To do so, from the UL grants/DL assignmentsthat are received, the control section 401 outputs the UL transmissionconditions (the bandwidth, the modulation scheme, the UL transmissionpower that is demanded based on these, and so on) to the power limitdetection section 406.

When there is a period in which a given UL subframe is planned to betransmitted to a given eNB/CG (transmission-planned period), the powerlimit detection section 406 investigates the transmission power of allUL subframes of other eNBs/CGs having partially or entirely simultaneoustransmission intervals with that UL subframe, based on the informationof UL transmission conditions received as input from the control section401, determines whether or not the total transmission power of uplinksignals for each eNB/CG exceeds the maximum allowable power (Pcmax), andoutputs the decision to the control section 401 (second embodiment).

When there is a part that is determined by the power limit detectionsection 406 to exceed the maximum allowable power (that is, to bepower-limited), the control section 401 compares the priorities ofsignals in this part. The control section 401 reduces (by way of scalingor dropping) the allocation of power for the UL subframes of the lowerpriorities (nonpreferential UL subframes) down to a value where thepower demanded by the UL subframes of the higher priorities(preferential UL subframes) can be adequately distributed.

Also, before making the above decision, the power limit detectionsection 406 may, for each eNB/CG in the transmission-planned period,decide whether or not the transmission power of each UL subframe exceedsa predetermined value (for example, the maximum transmission power pereNB/CG), and output the decisions to the control section 401 (variation4).

When, according to the decisions from the power limit detection section406, the sum of transmission power exceeds the predetermined value inany of the eNBs/CGs, the control section 401 applies powerscaling/dropping to each eNB/CG to keep the transmission power of everyeNB/CG within the predetermined value.

Note that the transmission signal generating section 402 preferablygenerates user terminal capability information (UE capabilityinformation) for reporting the above configurations and/or the like tothe radio base stations 10. For example, user terminal capabilityinformation to represent whether or not asynchronous dual connectivitycan be supported, whether or not the transmission power of futuretransmitting signals can be calculated, whether or not transmissionpower can be shared on a dynamic basis between eNBs/CGs and so on may begenerated (variation 2).

Based on commands from the control section 401, the PH reportinggenerating section 411 calculates the PH (Power Headroom) of each eNB/CGfrom the maximum transmission power of uplink signals from that eNB/CGand the uplink signal transmission power initially demanded by theeNB/CG, generates a PHR and outputs this to the transmission signalgenerating section 402 (variation 5).

The demapping section 404 demaps the signals received in thetransmitting/receiving section 203, and outputs the separated signals tothe received signal decoding section 405. To be more specific, thedemapping section 404 demaps the downlink signals transmitted from theradio base stations 10.

The received signal decoding section 405 decodes the downlink controlsignals (PDCCH signals) transmitted in the downlink control channel(PDCCH), and outputs the scheduling information (uplink resourceallocation information), information about the cells to which deliveryacknowledgement signals in response to the downlink control signals arefed back, TPC commands and so on, to the control section 401.

Now, although the present invention has been described in detail withreference to the above embodiments, it should be obvious to a personskilled in the art that the present invention is by no means limited tothe embodiments described herein. For example, the above-describedembodiments may be used separately, or may be used in combinations. Thepresent invention can be implemented with various corrections and invarious modifications, without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention defined by the recitations of claims.Consequently, the description herein is only provided for the purpose ofillustrating examples, and should by no means be construed to limit thepresent invention in any way.

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-096660, filed onMay 8, 2014, including the specification, drawings and abstract, isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

1. A user terminal that communicates by using a first cell group (CG) and a second CG, the user terminal comprising: a transmission section that transmits uplink signals of a plurality of types in each CG; and a control section that allocates power to an uplink signal of a given type to transmit in the first CG more preferentially than the uplink signal of the given type to transmit in the second CG.
 2. The user terminal according to claim 1, wherein the control section preferentially allocates power to the uplink signals to transmit in each CG, in an order of a PRACH, a channel including UCI, a PUSCH not including UCI and an SRS.
 3. The user terminal according to claim 2, wherein the control section preferentially allocates power in an order of a PRACH of the first CG, a PRACH of the second CG, a channel of the first CG including UCI, a channel of the second CG including UCI, a PUSCH of the first CG not including UCI, a PUSCH of the second CG not including UCI, an SRS of the first CG and an SRS of the second CG.
 4. The user terminal according to claim 1, wherein, when the user terminal supports asynchronous dual connectivity, the control section does not change, in a middle of a subframe, power of a signal that is being transmitted.
 5. The user terminal according to claim 4, wherein the transmission section transmits user terminal capability information to represent whether or not asynchronous dual connectivity can be supported.
 6. The user terminal according to claim 1, further comprising a PH reporting generating section that calculates a PH (Power Headroom) for each CG based on maximum uplink signal transmission power and uplink signal transmission power that is demanded by the CG, and generates a PH report.
 7. A radio base station that communicates with a user terminal by using a predetermined cell group, the user terminal communicating by using a first cell group (CG) and a second CG, the radio base station comprising: a transmission section that transmits control signals for controlling transmission power of uplink signals; and a receiving section that receives the uplink signals, the transmission power of which is controlled based on the control signals, wherein the uplink signals are controlled so that power is more preferentially allocated to an uplink signal of a given type to transmit in the first CG than the uplink signal of the given type to transmit in the second CG.
 8. A radio communication method for a user terminal that communicates by using a first cell group (CG) and a second CG, the radio communication method comprising: transmitting uplink signals of a plurality of types in each CG; and allocating power to an uplink signal of a given type to transmit in the first CG more preferentially than the uplink signal of the given type to transmit in the second CG.
 9. (canceled)
 10. The user terminal according to claim 2, wherein, when the user terminal supports asynchronous dual connectivity, the control section does not change, in a middle of a subframe, power of a signal that is being transmitted.
 11. The user terminal according to claim 3, wherein, when the user terminal supports asynchronous dual connectivity, the control section does not change, in a middle of a subframe, power of a signal that is being transmitted. 